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Freese, Adams supply clutch hitting in spring opener

Corner infielders produce all three Cardinals' runs in loss to Marlins

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By Jenifer Langosch

JUPITER, Fla. -- Giancarlo Stanton drove in two runs, Alfredo Silverio belted a solo home run and the Marlins defeated the Cardinals, 8-3, on Saturday afternoon at Roger Dean Stadium.

David Freese delivered a second-inning home run for St. Louis.

In the Grapefruit League opener for both teams, the Marlins struck quickly off Trevor Rosenthal, scoring four runs in the first two innings.

Both starters worked two innings. Miami's John Maine, a non-roster invitee in the mix for the fifth-starter spot, gave up a home run to Freese and struck out one batter.

Rosenthal was tagged for four runs and five hits, and he threw 45 pitches.

The Marlins used a three-hit first inning to score two runs off Rosenthal. Juan Pierre, after fouling off two bunt attempts, tripled to deep center field on a 2-2 pitch. Pierre scored on Stanton's RBI groundout to first. With two outs, Joe Mahoney doubled to right and scored on Donovan Solano's single.

St. Louis made it 2-1 in the second inning on Freese's home run to left.

Miami tacked on two more runs in the second inning. Pierre delivered a two-out, RBI push bunt that chipped over the head of a drawn-in Freese at third. Adeiny Hechavarria, who walked and stole second, scored on the play. Stanton added an RBI single to make it 4-1.

Jeff Mathis' RBI single in the third inning padded Miami's lead to 5-1. But in the top of the fourth inning, Mathis, who started at catcher, was removed after Matt Holliday walked. During the plate appearance, Mathis took a foul tip off his right collarbone.

In the fourth inning, St. Louis cut the deficit to 5-3 on Matt Adams' two-out, two-run single off lefty Brad Hand, who walked four in the inning. Steve Cishek relieved Hand and stranded the bases loaded.

Silverio, Miami's Rule 5 claim off the Dodgers' roster, hit his homer off Randy Choate in the fifth inning.

Marcell Ozuna and Zach Cox each had RBI singles to push the Marlins' lead to 8-3.

Cardinals up next: Sold out in advance, the Red Sox will be at Roger Dean Stadium on Sunday to face the Cardinals at 12:05 p.m. CT, available on Gameday Audio. Left-hander John Gast will get the starting nod. Shelby Miller was originally scheduled to throw, but the right-hander is dealing with some right-shoulder soreness. The Red Sox are starting lefty Jon Lester.

Marlins up next: The Marlins travel to Viera to face the Nationals at 1:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, available on Gameday Audio as well. Henderson Alvarez, acquired from the Blue Jays in November, is making the start. Alvarez is competing for a spot in the middle of the rotation. The right-hander will make two starts for Miami before heading to the World Baseball Classic to play for Venezuela. Washington is starting Jordan Zimmermann. Stanton will not be making the trip.

Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. He writes a blog, called The Fish Pond. Follow him on Twitter @JoeFrisaro. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.